Device for packaging coiled material



Jan. 13, 1959 C. E. FRANKS 2,868,370

DEVICE FOR PACKAGING COILED MATERIAL Filed May 2l, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIB- 15- ja l om 50 FHS.. 1E-

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y Amma/K9 m United States l DEVICE FOR PACKAGING CQILED MATERIAL Charles E. Franks, Waukegan, Ill., assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application May 21, 1953, Serial No. 356,340

p 2 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) This application, which `is a continuation-.impart of any co-pending application Serial No. 326,524, tiled December 17, 1952, now Patent No. 2,822,086, relates 4to a device `and `method for packaging a plurality of coiled elements, such as bundles of wire or rod, into a single compact package.

It is an object lof the present invention to provide a reuseable retaininghook of novel shape suitable for forming and securing a compact` package of coiled elements.

Corollary to the above object, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel method of forming and securing a compact `packageroi coiled elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved package for coiled elements.

These and other objects will become more apparent afterreferring to the following speciication and attached drawings, lin which: t t g Figure 1 is a side elevation of a row of bundles being compressed for securing and packaging with the hook of my invention;

Figure 2 is similar to Figure l and shows the rowV of bundles secured;

Figure 3 is a pian View of the form of hook having an eyetatits end and a chain attached to the eye;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of theeye end of the hook of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan View of a hook having a short bent end;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the bent end section of the hook shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view partly in dotted lines showing the use of a metal strap for connecting two hooks together; p

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing hooks of my invention applied to a row of wire bundles preparatory to packaging the same according to a modiiedmethod of my invention;

Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure 8 showing the securing of the hooks after the row of bundles has been packaged;

Figure 10 is a plan view showing a modified hook of my invention;

Figure ll is a side elevational View of Figure 10;y

Figure 12 is an end view of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is an end view of a row of wire bundles with the hook of Figure l0 applied thereto; f

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of Figure 13;

'Figure 15 is a plan view showing a second modification ofthe hook of my invention;

Figure 16 is a View similar to Figure l5 showing a third modiiication of the hook of my invention;

Figure 17 is a plan View showing the second and third modified hooks used for forming a package of two compressed rows of bundles; the latter being shown in phantom; and

Figure 18 is au end view looking to the right of Figure 17.`

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Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 2 indicates generally the retaining hook `of my invention, which may be made of round, flat or shaped wire or rod of metal, plastic or any other material of suitable strength. As shown in Figure 3, the hook includes a relatively long leg or limb 4; and an interme* diate V-shape portion 6 integral with one end of the limb and extending in a substantially normal `plane with the apex S `of the V-shape directed away from the limb; and a relatively short terminal portion `or section 10 integral with the end of the intermediate -portion .6 and extending normal therefrom substantially parallel to the limb. Theterminal portion 10 is bent slightly Vso that it extends inwardly toward the limb 4 initially `and then outwardly. yThe inwardly bent initial portion ofthe terminal section 10 and intermediate `,portion 6, together with the adjacent section 12 of the limb 4, dene a pocket 13 for receiving the `end `convolutions of acoiled element. In use, the terminal portion `1t) and limb sec tion 12 grip `two sides of a circumferential section `of a coil and the intermediate portion 6 engages the end of the coil as best shown in Figure 3.

The` end 14 ofthe limb 4 remote from intermediate portion 6 may be bent to form aneye 16 or it may be given a short right angle bend 18 the `purposesof kwhich will become apparent.

In packaging a plurality of wire bundles A, `usingthe method `of my invention, the desired number of bundles are rst arranged in a horizontal row B with the cores of the :bundles in alignment; spaced hooks 2 are then applied to the row in pairs, `with one hook `of each 4pair engaging one end `of the row andthe other hookengaging the opposite en\d;.the.row is compressed andthe limbs 4 `of the pairs of hooks Z are ,connectedtogether end` to end longitudinally along the outer surface of `the row to hold it in compression.

In practice, therow B maybe picked up with the ram C `of a litt truck D after the hooks 2 `have been applied loosely. Two or more sets `of pairs of my retaining hooks may be applied. When two sets are used, they are placed opposite each other on each side `of `the end wire bundles. When more than two sets are used, they are spaced evenly around the circumferences of the end bundles. The row is then transported by the lift truck to a buttress E which may be made up of a pair of supported spaced vertical posts. The lift truck operator then compresses the row of bundles by positioning the end bundle of the elevated row against the `buttress with the ram C fitting between the posts. With the row of bundles `in this position, the operator moves the truck forward until the row of bundles is compressed. The

V-shape'of the intermediate portion 6 of the hooksallows the convolutions of wire to flow into the peak of the hook as compression is made and has la binding eiect after the hooks have been connected together and the hooks only are holding the bundlesot the row in compression. The inwardly bent sections of the `terminal portions it) of the hooks exert gripping pressure `on the convolutions while the outwardly bent sections thereof facilitate slipping the hooks onto the bundles.

Each pair of hooks may include one hook `having an eye 16 at its end and one having a short bend 18 at its end. The paired hooks may then be connected together while the row is held `under compression` against the buttress by inserting the short bend 18 of the one hook into the eye 16 of the other.

A short length of chain 2t) may be attached to the eye 16 of the one hook so that the hooks may be quickly connected in pairs by inserting the bend 18 of the other hook into one of the links of the chain 20 as compression made. Short lengths o f narrow gauge steel strapping 21 having holes punched at intervals along its length may be used instead of the chain if desired. The use of a length of chain or steel strapping to connect the hooks permit quick packaging of nonuniform size bundles since the length of the connections may be easily and quickly shortened or lengthened by inserting the bend 18 in the proper link of the chain or punched hole in the strip. The limbs 4 of the hooks, which may be of any desired length, lie along the outside of the bundles so that they may be conveniently connected. If desired, for any reason, the hooks may be applied with the limbs 4 extending inwardly of the bores of the bundles.

After the pairs of hooks have been connected, a wire tie may be snubbed over the bend 18 inserted in the hook eye or chain link so that jarring will not cause the hooks to become disconnected.

If desired, the hooks used may be exclusively of the type having an eye in the end of the limb, the eyes of the paired hooks being connected together by means of heavy gauge wire, wire strand, or steel strapping.

Figure 8 illustrates a modified manner of using the retainer hook of my invention for packaging a number of wire bundles A' into a compact unit. The limb 4 of the hooks 2 used for this method are nearly as long as the compressed row. The ends of the hooks are each provided with an eye 16. Before the row of bundles is compressed, several lengths of wire or wire strand 22 are placed around several of the end convolutions of the bundle at one end of the row at spaced intervals. The hooks 2 are positioned on the other end of the row opposite the wire strands 22. Then when the row is cornpressed, the wire strands are tied to the eyes of the respective hooks, as shown in Figure 9. If desired, the limbs 4 of the hooks may be disposed within the core of the row .against the inner surfaces of the bundles instead of along the outer surface of the row.

When greater stability and increased bearing surface for the hooks are required, a stimlp 24 may be used as shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The stirrup is made of light gauge steel and is shaped to fit on the inner surface of the intermediate portion 6, and adjacent portions of the terminal end and section 12 of the limb. The stirrup may be either spot welded in place as at 26 or be provided with grooves in its surface shaped to t the contour of the hook surface.

Another modification 2S of the retainer `or tie of my invention is shown in AFigure 15. Retainer 28 includes a length of wire or rod preformed to substantially hairpin shape having a pair of parallel limbs or legs 32 of uniform length connected together by an integral intermediate portion 34. The intermediate portion 34 is generally Vashape with the apex 36 of the V forming an angle of approximately 90 degrees and extending" outwardly of the retainer. The free end of each of the limbs 32 is bent over on itself to form an eye 38. Each limb 32 is provided with Ka generally V-shape bend 40 at a point near the intermediate portion 34. The apices of the bent portions 40 lie opposite each other and extend toward each other inwardly of the retainer. The legs 42 of each of the bent portions 4t)V form an angle of approximately 90 degrees. The angle formed at the apex of the intermediate portion 34 and at the apex of each of the bent portions 40 may be made more or less than 90 degrees as preferred in accordance with the nature and size 0f the coiled material being packaged.

When used for packaging a single row of wire bundles, two or more of the retainers 28 are loosely applied to one end of the row at spaced intervals around the periphery thereof with the limbs 32 straddling the wall of the row and the intermediate portion 34 engaging the end surface of the row before the row is compressed. When applied in this manner, one limb 32 of each retainer extends through the aligned centers of the bundles while the other limb extends along the exterior of the row.. After the retainers have been loosely applied, the row of vbundles is compressed in the manner described above.

The length of the limbs 32 are substantially equal to the length of the compressed row. Compression of the row of bundles causes convolutions `of wire in the end of the row straddled by the retainers to flow into the pocket formed by intermediate portion 34 and bent portions 40 of each retainer. While the row is under compression, a tie-up is made to keep the row in compression by attaching a length of wire or similar material to the eye on the end of one limb of each retainer and extending it around the end of the row to an attachment with the eye on the other limb ofthe retainer. Figures 17 and 18 show the manner in which the retainer 28 is applied to a row of bundles. Only Ione retainer 28 is shown used on each of the rows since the retainer 30, which will be described below, takes the place of a retaining retainer on each row when the two rows are arranged into a single package as shown and as will be described. If desired, each eye may be tied separately to the end of the row to make the tie-up. After the row has been compressed and the tie-,up made, the inwardly bent portions 40 of each retainer exert a gripping pressure on the convolutions of the row and prevent slipping of the retainer.

A third modification 30 of the retainer of my invention, which is shown in Figure 16, comprises a rod or wire bent upon itself to form a substantially hairpin shape having parallel limbs 44 connected together by means of an intermediate portion 46. Portion 46 is generally V-shape with the apex 48 of the V directed inwardly so that .a drawn-out W-shape results, as best shown in Figure 16. The free end of each of the limbs 44 is formed in the shape of an eye 50.

Although not restricted thereto, the retainer 30 of my invention finds its greatest utility in the function of holding two rows of annular bundles or coils together in a stable package, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, and it is in connection with this use that I will describe the operation thereof.

When used for combining two rows of coiled material together, the retainer 30 is used in conjunction with at least two hooks of either of the three types hereinbefore described. In making up a package of two rows of bundles of coiled material, bundles of coiled material G are aligned in two parallel rows with the bundles in each row being disposed coaxially in relation to each other so that they form a' tubular stack. After the two stacks have been formed, a retainer 30 is applied to the contiguous walls `G of the parallel rows or stacks with one limb 44 thereof extending into the core of each stack and the intermediate portion 46 fitting against the end surfaces of the contiguous bundles at the one end of the two stacks. In this position, the inwardly directed apex 4S ts between the contiguous walls G of the two rows and together with the limbs 44 exerts gripping pressure thereon to prevent displacement. Then one or more of any of the above described hooks of my invention are loosely applied to the noncontiguous portions G of each stack. yI nd it preferable to use only one retainer on each of the noncontiguous portions, as best shown in Figure 18. After all the hooks have been loosely applied, a tractor is used to compress the two rows simultaneously against the buttress E. For this step the ram of the tractor has been removed from the elevator plate so that the tractor may compress both rows simultaneously without interference from the ram.

After the rows have been compressed, the eyes 50 of the retainer 3d) are connected together by means of a tie-up S2 consisting of one or more lengths of wire or other suitable material which is attached by one end to one eye 50 and extended therefrom `around the end of the contiguous walls of the rows to an attachment with the other eye 50. The hooks which had `been loosely applied to the outer periphery of the two rows are then asesvo tied in the manner described for the type of retainer used.

It Will be noted that the saine retaining hooks may be used repeatedly in the methods of packaging described 'and shown.

It is not intended to limit the scope `of this invention to the use of the device and method described for packaging bundles of wire but rather to include any use to which the invention lends itself and to any modications of the invention Within the scope of the claims hereinafter recited.

I claim:

1. A package comprising a plurality of annular bodies of substantially uniform diameter disposed in coaxial alignment in the form of a tubular stack, and at least two retaining ties spaced around the periphery of said stack, each of said ties included a preformed substant tially hairpin shape retainer having a pair of spaced limbs of substantially uniform length connected together in generally parallel relation by an integral substantially V- shape intermediate portion, each of the limbs of each retainer having coplanar Vshape portions extending in- Wardly toward each other intermediate their lengths, each of said retainers being disposed on said stack with the intermediate portion thereof straddling the Wall of said stack at one end and one of said limbs extending into the void of said stack and the other limb extending along the exterior wall thereof, and a tension member connecting the limbs of each retainer to the other end of said stack.

2. A package comprising two parallel rows of annular bodies, the annular bodies in each row being disposed in coaxial alignment to form a tubular stack, a first tie disposed on the contiguous portions of said stacks holding said stacks together, said rst tie comprising a preformed substantially hairpin shape retainer having a pair of spaced limbs of substantially uniform length connected together in generally parallel relation by an integral substantially W-shape intermediate portion, said retainer being disposed with the intermediate portion thereof straddling the contiguous walls of said stacksiat one end and one of the limbs thereof extending into 'the void of one stack and the other limb extending into the void of the other stack, and an elongated tension member attached at one end to the end of one of said limbs and extending therefrom around the ends of the contiguous Wall at the other end `ofthe stacks to a point of attachment with the end of said other limb, and a second tie disposed on the noncontiguous portion of each stack holding said annular bodies together, said second ties each comprising a preformed substantially hairpin shape retainer having a irst and second limb connected together in generally parallel relation by an integral substantially V-shape connecting portion, said retainers each being disposed with its connecting portion straddling the Wall at one end of its respective stack and said first limb extending into the void of its respective stack and said second leg extending along the exterior wall of its respective shaft, and tension means securing each of said last named retainers to its respec* tive stack.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 269,875 Moulton Jan. 2, 1883 354,394 Collie Dec. 14, 1886 715,802 Holmes Dec. 16, 1902 749,852 Dunn Jan. 19, 1904 1,519,738 McGowan Dec. 16, 1924 1,625,275 Naterman Apr. 19, 1927 1,651,664 Bowers Dec. 6, 1927 1,721,142 Anderson July 16, 1929 1,746,470 Hennessey Feb. 11, 1930 1,897,334 Richer Feb. 14, 1933 2,037,211 Campbell Apr. 14, 1936 2,183,876 Sullivan Dec. 19, 1939 2,344,804 Crosby Mar. 21, 1944 2,418,550 Edwards Apr. 8, 1947 2,424,395 Hedges July 22, 1947 2,659,484 Averill Nov. 17, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,863 Great Britain 1904 

